extended family in the Governor’s Mansion staff

[masterding]

Quote from Bill Clinton's memoir 《My life》:
When we got home from the hospital, Chelsea had a ready-made extended family in the Governor’s Mansion staff, including Carolyn Huber and Eliza Ashley, who had cooked there forever.

what does "extended family in the Governor’s Mansion staff" mean?
family in staff?Isn't "in" supposed to be followed by a place?

Thanks!

 

[Anglika]

It means that the members of staff in the Governor's Mansion had close and personal contacts with the children, providing them with a form of family support. They become an extension of the family for which they work.

 

[masterding]

It means that the members of staff in the Governor's Mansion had close and personal contacts with the children, providing them with a form of family support. They become an extension of the family for which they work.

I understand the meaning,but why "in staff" not in a place?

 

[Anglika]

Let's try a similar sentence or two:

There are two boys and eighteen girls in my family.
We found wonderful friends in the hotel's staff.

"Staff" and "family" are being used almost in the sense of a place.

 

[Tdol]

I understand the meaning,but why "in staff" not in a place?

You could just say the 'Governor's mansion', but then you'd have to add something to move on to the names in the next part.

'In' doesn't have to be followed by a place:

in despair/in good faith (noun/noun phrase)
in summer/July, etc (time)
believe in God
etc